Job 21:29

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 21:27-34

In these verses, I. Job opposes the opinion of his friends, which he saw they still adhered to, that the wicked are sure to fall into such visible and remarkable ruin as Job had now fallen into, and none but the wicked, upon which principle they condemned Job as a wicked man. ?I know your thoughts,? says Job (Job 21:27); ?I know you will not agree with me; for your judgments are tinctured and biassed by your piques and prejudices against me, and the devices which you wrongfully imagine against... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 21:29

Have ye not asked them that go by the way ?.... Did you not ask every traveller you met with on the road the above question? not which was the way to Job's house, which they knew very well, but in what condition that and his sons were? or what was the case of him and his family? and what was his character? or what was thought of him now since his unhappy circumstances? and do ye not know their tokens ? by which it might be known in what a plight he and his family were, and what were the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 21:29

Have ye not asked them that go by the way? - This appears to be Job's answer. Consult travelers who have gone through different countries; and they will tell you that they have seen both examples - the wicked in great prosperity in some instances, while suddenly destroyed in others. See at the end of the chapter, Job 21:34 ; (note). Do ye not know their tokens - Mr. Good translates the whole verse thus: "Surely thou canst never have inquired of men of travel; or thou couldst not have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:1-34

Job answers Zophar, as he had answered Bildad, in a single not very lengthy chapter. After a few caustic introductory remarks (verses 2-4), he takes up the challenge which Zophar had thrown out, respecting the certain punishment, in this life, of the wicked ( Job 20:4-29 ), and maintains, "in language of unparalleled boldness'' (Cook), the converse of the proposition. The wicked, he says, live, grow old, attain to great power, have a numerous and flourishing offspring, prosper, grow... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:1-34

Job to Zophar: Audi alteram partem. I. THE SPIRIT OF JOB 'S REPLY . 1 . Intense earnestness. Indicated by the respectful invitation addressed to his friends to attend to his discourse, the nervous reduplication of the verb "hear," and the assurance that such behaviour on their part would more effectually console him than all their eloquent and laboured harangues. Job's character of eminent sanctity, Job's condition of extreme wretchedness, and Job's condemnation by the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:1-34

Diverse interpretations of life. The friends of Job remain entrenched in the one firm position, as they think it, which they have from the first taken up. No appeals on his part have availed to soften their hearts, or induce a reconsideration of the rigid theory of suffering which they have adopted. But he now, no longer confining himself to the assertion of his personal innocence, makes an attack upon their position. He dwells upon the great enigma of life—the prosperity of the wicked... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:29

Have ye not asked them that go by the way? Job refers his opponents to the first comer ( τὸν ἐπιόντα )—the merest passer-by. Let them ask his opinion, and see if he does not consider that, as a general rule, the wicked prosper. And do ye not know their tokens? or, their observations ; i.e. the conclusions to which they have come upon the subject from their own observation and experience. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 21:29

Have ye not asked them that go by the way? - Travelers, who have passed into other countries, and who have had an opportunity of making observations, and of learning the opinions of those residing there. The idea of Job is, that they might have learned from such travelers that such people were “reserved” for future destruction, and that calamity did not immediately overtake them. Information was obtained in ancient times by careful observation, and by traveling, and they who had gone into other... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 21:29-30

Job 21:29-30 . Have ye not asked them that go by the way? In these verses we have an answer to the preceding question; as if he had said, Even the travellers that pass along the road can inform you: it is so vulgar a thing that no man of common sense is ignorant of it. They can give you tokens, examples, or evidences of this truth. That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction That they are not punished as they deserve in the present world, and therefore that they shall be in... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Job 21:1-34

Job’s reply to Zophar (21:1-34)There are two main reasons for Job’s impatient speech. One is the frustration of arguing with a person whom he cannot see or hear. The other is the constant pain that torments him. If the friends can understand this and stop their mockery for a moment, Job will answer Zophar’s statement calmly (21:1-6). The wicked are not always swiftly destroyed as Zophar claims. Many enjoy long lives of peace, prosperity and happiness (7-13). The wicked fight against God yet... read more

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